On Wednesday, a Centre County judge ordered that the charges against alleged fraternity drug trafficking leader Agostino Abbatiello move forward as part of the preliminary hearings that were scheduled for five of the conspirators.

Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine moved forward with the charges after granting Abbatiello bail of $250,000 following an initial denial after his arraignment on August 18. Abbatiello is facing 11 felony charges, including two first-degree and one third-degree, relating to multiple counts of possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. 

Abbatiello, a former Penn State student and Sigma Chi fraternity member, is alleged to have led the large-scale cocaine trafficking ring and received more than $123,500 in drug payments, according to the grand jury presentment.

He was one of 13 former and current Penn State students charged in connection with a drug trafficking ring that allegedly operated out of the off-campus houses of Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi.

Authorities allege Abbatiello was at the center of the operation. A witness who testified against Abbatiello called him “the largest dealer of cocaine for Penn State University students.”

Three other men who were charged with felonies, Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi, and Robert Zanolla, waived their preliminary hearings on Wednesday, with the first two, as well as Lars Zeepvat, who previously waived his hearing, each testifying against Abbatiello.

Thomas Robinson’s father, 59-year-old Paul Robinson, who is accused of concealing evidence, was expected to proceed with his preliminary hearing on Wednesday afternoon. The other eight current and former Penn State students who were charged with misdemeanors will have their preliminary hearings in October.

About the Author

Michael Zeno

Michael is a junior from Eastampton, NJ, majoring in international politics. He's a diehard Knicks, Yankees, Rangers, and Giants fan. When he's not watching old OBJ highlights, he likes to bowl and play pickup basketball. He'll forever believe that Michael Penix Jr. was short. You can contact him at @MichaelZeno24 on Twitter or zenomanknows@gmail.com

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